The Federal Trade Commission has extended the deadline until May 1 for the public to submit comments on topics that should be examined as part of a June 28, 2017 workshop on the consumer privacy and security issues posed by automated and connected motor vehicles. Last month, the FTC and the National Highway Traffic Safety […]
Monthly Archives: April 2017
FTC Obtains Court Order Halting Telemarketing Scheme that Preyed on Spanish Speaking Consumers
At the Federal Trade Commission’s request, a federal court has halted an operation whose telemarketers in Peru allegedly used deceptive and abusive tactics to sell products for learning English to Spanish-speaking consumers throughout the United States. The court froze the defendants’ assets pending resolution of the case. According to the FTC’s complaint, the defendants sold […]
FTC Approves Final Consents Settling Charges that Two Companies Made Misleading Made-in-the-USA Claims
Following public comment periods in two separate cases, the Federal Trade Commission has approved final consent orders settling charges that iSpring Water Systems, LLC, a Georgia-based distributor of water filtration systems, and Block Division, Inc., a Texas-based distributor of pulley block systems, made misleading Made-in-the-USA claims. First announced in February 2017, the FTC’s complaint against […]
Process Reform Initiatives are Already Underway at the Federal Trade Commission
Under the leadership of Acting Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen, the Federal Trade Commission is moving aggressively to implement Presidential directives aimed at eliminating wasteful, unnecessary regulations and processes. Excessive regulation and bureaucracy can create significant burdens on the public, while diverting scarce resources from the agency’s core mission to protect consumers and promote competition. “I […]
FTC Workshop on April 18 Explores Hearing Health and Technology
The Federal Trade Commission will host a workshop tomorrow in Washington, DC, to explore competition, innovation, and consumer protection issues raised by hearing health services and technology. The event is free and open to the public. It will be available via live webcast and live tweeted via Twitter using the hashtag #NowHearThisFTC. More details can […]
FTC Approves Final Orders Resolving Allegations That Companies Misrepresented Participation in International Privacy Program
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved final orders with three companies resolving allegations that they deceived consumers by misrepresenting their participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) system. The APEC CBPR system facilitates privacy-respecting data transfers between APEC member economies through a voluntary, enforceable mechanism, which […]
FTC Announces Final Agenda on Hearing Health and Technology Workshop
The Federal Trade Commission has announced a final agenda for the Now Hear This: Competition, Innovation, and Consumer Protection Issues in Hearing Health Care workshop. The event will explore competition, innovation, and consumer protection issues raised by hearing health services and technology. Acting Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen will open the one-day workshop, with speakers from […]
Recidivist Robocaller Settles FTC Telemarketing Complaint
The FTC has obtained a settlement order with Justin Ramsey, the ringleader of telemarketing operations that blasted illegal robocalls to consumers and called phone numbers listed on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry. The order bans Ramsey and his company, Prime Marketing LLC from placing robocalls to individuals to sell goods or services, initiating […]
FTC Announces 2017 Military Consumer Financial Workshop: Protecting Those Who Protect Our Nation
The Federal Trade Commission announced today that it is hosting a workshop in San Antonio, Texas, on July 19, 2017, to examine financial issues and scams that can affect military consumers, including active duty servicemembers in all branches and veterans. The workshop also will discuss FTC resources available to military consumer advocates and representatives on […]
FTC Staff Submits Comment to FERC on Helping New Electricity Generators Connect to the Power Grid
The Federal Trade Commission staff has submitted a comment to the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The staff comment responds to FERC’s request for comments on its proposal to improve the rules governing how electricity generation facilities connect to the transmission grid. These reforms are designed to allow wholesale power producers to connect to […]